Hey guys…sorry it tool so long. I've been really busy with work and such but I hope you are not too mad at me…and still interested. I really do have big plans ;

Thanks to everyone who reviewed. You know normally I make comments but I just got a root canal and so just posting and going to bed ;

When Michiru, Hotaru and the Tenoh's arrived in Haruka's room they found her awake, with her food before her—untouched—as she sat watching the news.

"Papa!" Hotaru exclaimed.

"Hey hime-chan." Haruka said, glad to have something to smile about that day.

"You're awake." Hotaru said climbing onto the bed to join her. "Are you feeling better?"

"I am now that you are here." Haruka answered, causing her daughter to smile. "Did you have a good night with Michiru."

"Hai! She told me a story and then I had a dream that Michiru-ma—look papa you're on TV!"

"I know." Haruka sighed, glancing at the television. She promptly changed the channel in search of cartoons to distract Hotaru.

The top story, on every channel so far, whether it was news, sports or entertainment, involved the racing weekend, in general, the previous day's accident, in particular, and the sensational discovery that Tenoh Haruka was actually a woman. It seemed nothing else was happening in Japan. The entire country seemed to be in turmoil over the controversial news and everyone had an opinion about it. Networks did polls, some reporters interviewed people on the streets to gain public opinion, while other's had entire half hour roundtable discussions about the discovery of Tenoh Haruka's sex, the impact it would or should have on her career, the racing world, and the country in general. Each show made certain to extend an invitation to the enigmatic Tenoh to come forward and explain her story to the public.

There were some of Haruka's fans and peers who showed their support such as Mori-san, who was well respected in the Japanese racing world, while her sponsors' only comments were that they had none. The general public opinion was outrage. How could Japan's favorite son be Millionaire Tenoh Hiroshi's daughter? The Tenoh press issued a statement about this being a family matter and respecting their privacy. No one challenged Tenoh Hiroshi once he issued a command.

There were also lines of speculations as Haruka had been linked to several women, in the past, including well known models and socialites. Questions naturally arose as the speculators tried to ascertain whether these women knew the truth about Haruka's identity. The press pursued several of the women for comments but was met with inconclusive results. After all, if these women admitted they knew the truth, it would call their own sexuality into question. Some respectable ladies in society found it was far easier to claim innocence, and stated that their virtue had not permitted them the opportunity to get close enough to Haruka to learn that she was really a woman. Haruka grinned at that. Others, realizing that the publicity from their connection to Haruka could assist their own career, gave coy answers in response. These were mere scraps to the press. They were not interested in the past. They were interested in the present. And the woman they were most interested in, at present, was Michiru, who stood silently against the wall, still in shock.

"Look, we can find a way to spin this." Nagato Katashi, Haruka's manager was in the room trying to work out some damage control. "We can talk about the sexism in the racing world, you know the invisible shelf and all that—I like where this is going," he said excitedly. "You were forced to misrepresent yourself for your own safety, so this really isn't your fault at all, you are simply a product of the environment. I mean how many other female F-1 racers are there? I mean it's brilliant. Just a few interviews of that and we will have the Formula-One committee eating out of our palms, especially with everyone talking about the possibility of that American girl joining the formula-one circuit we could come out of this making you the hero. It's brilliant!" He said proudly looking around the room for affirmation.

"It is ridiculous." Tenoh Hiroshi said, incensed. "I am calling our lawyers."

"Otou-sama," Haruka began. "You can keep the dogs leashed for a little while longer. I'm sure this whole thing will just blow over…eventually."

"Blow over? You have an entire sideshow outside the hospital trying to-"

"Hiroshi," Tenoh Ayame warned, placing her hand on her husband's shoulder as she moved closer. "Your father may be right. I am not certain this thing shall blow over Haruka. Do you hear what they are saying about you?" She ended with a whisper.

"They are not saying anything that isn't true, okaa-san." Haruka answered.

"What are they saying?" Hotaru asked.

"Nothing important hime-chan." Haruka answered, turning up the volume on the television.

"So, this ridiculous story is a better idea?" Tenoh Hiroshi continued gesturing to Nagato-san.

"It's a great idea," Nagato piped in excitedly. "I-"

"It's a stupid idea, Naga-san. I'm not saying any of that crap."

"Haruka!" Her mother scolded, glancing at Hotaru.

"Sumimasen," Haruka said automatically.

"Well, you have to say something." Nagato continued.

"Absolutely not! You will say nothing at all."

Everyone turned to the door as the small man boldly entered the room and joined the conversation as though he had been a part of it all along.

"Suzuki-san?" Michiru said stunned.

"Tenoh cannot say anything without my approval." Suzuki said and to Michiru's surprise, he was speaking directly to Haruka.

"Who are you?" Haruka demanded. "And how did you get in here?"

"You will be surprised where a little manners and charm will get you, hai Michiru!"

"Hai, Suzuki-san!" Michiru responded. Realizing her automatic response and feeling Haruka's eyes watching her, she dropped her head embarrassed.

"I am Suzuki Daisuke," he introduced, with a bow. "And I am here to protect the interests of Kaioh-san. Now, since this revelation of your true gender has put her career in jeopardy I think it is in our best interest to guide the direction of your actions so it does not cause any more damage her livelihood."

"Suzuki-san!" Michiru looked at the expression on Haruka's face. Se quickly rushed to the bed beside them. "He didn't mean it like that Ruka."

"What I mean Mi-chan is that simply because your…your…friend's true identity has been revealed that is no reason we need to also reveal the nature of this relationship and expose you to such negative public opinion as well. And you should be more conscious of your actions." Suzuki scolded Michiru. He sighed and with a paternal air, placed his hand on her shoulder. "I understand that your feelings are involved but that should not be allowed to cloud your judgment. You have a major concert approaching and a Gallery showing for your new collection. You cannot afford to alienate your fans now, not when we have so much riding on this. You cannot tell me that you are able to give up everything that you have worked for and everything you care about in one shot, and not regret it." He concluded.

"Well," Haruka began. "They already threw me under the bus for being dishonest so I figure-"

"Maybe he has a point." Michiru, unable to denounce Suzuki's words, simply said quietly.

"Perhaps you two should have a moment to talk this over." Suzuki said, with a confident smile. He knew Michiru. She was very logical.

"Perhaps you two should talk. Michiru needs to think about her career after all." Tenoh Ayame said too supportively. "Come on Hotaru-chan. Let's go down to the gift shop and get something for Haruka."

"Hai!" Hotaru agreed.

"Come on Hiroshi." She ordered after removing Hotaru from Haruka's bed.

"I think I should-"

"Hiroshi!"

The group disbursed with the grandparents taking Hotaru down the hall and the managers exiting the room and waiting impatiently at the door.

They left the pair in silence.

"Chiba-sensei,"

"Ami-chan it's just us." Mamoru said laughing as he joined her in the cafeteria. "You don't have to call me sensei or Chiba for that matter."

"Sensei," Ami said placing her fork into her salad. "I have known you for nearly half my life and you are married to one of my best friends, the only way this is to work is if we maintain very stringent lines of authority when at the hospital so I am not treated with and you could not be accused of any favoritism."

"All right Muzino-san." Mamoru said raising his hand in defeat. "Do these rules apply to lunch? Am I still allowed to sit with my residents, one of whom may or may not happen to be an old friend?"

"Hai, of course you may join me." Ami said blushing. "Gomenasai Mamoru-san."

"Is everything all right? You seem a little on edge?"

Ami didn't respond.

"Just a question from a concerned sensei." Mamoru said with a smile.

"Well, there is something that has been bothering me today but…"

"But?" Mamoru asked, finally taking a bite of his sandwich. He began to chew, absently wondering if his medical training afforded him enough knowledge to ascertain exactly how old egg-salad can be before it gives you food poisoning.

"But, I don't really know how to explain it." Ami said.

"I don't understand."

"Well," Ami began, her hands floating before her as if she were holding something invisible. She tilted her head, with a confused expression as she seemed to examine it.

Mamoru looked on, amused, as Ami seemed to compare the invisible thing to another invisible thing.

"It doesn't make any sense," Ami muttered softly, as if to herself.

"I agree." Mamoru said, wrenching his face as he took another bite. "Care to elaborate?"

"Haruka's x-rays." Ami finally said with a sigh.

"What about them?"

"They do not make any sense."

"You are going to have to give me a little more to go on Ami—Muzino-san." Mamoru said rising to his feet.

"Where are you going?" Ami asked following him.

"It seems neither of us will get any lunch today," he dumped the rancid sandwich in the trash, deciding that the risk outweighed the hunger. "I might as well help one of my residents and take a look at these x-rays. Maybe another set of eyes will help." Mamoru nodded to the CD of Haruka's x-rays that Ami had been unconsciously thumbing throughout their conversation.

"Hai. Arrigato." Ami said, throwing away her lunch as well.

They made their way to the radiology room where they could get a large view by utilizing the computer connected to an HD projector.

"So what is so interesting about this x-ray?" Mamoru asked as Ami loaded the disc.

"Just watch." Ami said as the picture began to load. "This is the x-ray that was taken when Haruka came into the emergency room yesterday. Do you see the broken ribs and the hairline fracture in the sternum and these other cracks in the lower ribs?"

"Yes, all compatible with an automobile crash and the positions of the seatbelts." Mamoru said stifling a yawn.

"Now, look at this one." Ami said letting another x-ray replace the first one.

"Who is this?" Mamoru asked, looking at the second x-ray of a healthy ribcage. "Why are we comparing Haruka's x-ray to this woman's?"

"Because this is Haruka's x-ray." Ami answered.

"No, I thought you said the first one was Haruka's x-ray?" Mamoru asked turning to Ami. He had obviously misheard her. He'd been working for over twenty hours after all.

"The first one is the x-ray taken yesterday when she came into the ER." Ami began showing the first picture of the damaged ribcage. She switched to the second picture. "This is the x-ray that was done on Haruka this morning."

"What?" Mamoru said turning to face her. "Muzino-san you know I have the utmost respect for you and your intelligence but that…is impossible."

"I know!" Ami screamed, finally showing her frustration. "It sounds ridiculous doesn't it? But look at this." She continued more closer to the screen.

Mamoru followed, as Ami changed the view so both x-ray's were being shown side-by-side. She took the laser pointer from her pocket.

"Do you see the broken ribs here and here?" She said highlighting it for her attending.

"Of course." Mamoru answered.

"Now, look at the second x-rays. Look at the same spots." She ordered.

Mamoru moved closer, his eyes bouncing back and forth from picture to picture.

"I see what you mean. The second set has similar marks all conducive to an injury that caused the ribs to fracture and subsequently healing."

"Only these took what six hours to heal and not six weeks." Ami stated.

"Okay. Admittedly this is… weird. But, it must be some kind of mistake. The x-ray's must have gotten switched somehow." Mamoru said his eyes still examining the exact locations of the breaks in the first x-ray and the locations of the marks in the second x-ray.

"That's what I thought. I even ran the x-rays again. Same results and look at this mark on the right clavicle." Ami said enlarging the second x-ray and moving her laser pointer.

"What is that? That was not one Haruka's injuries yesterday?" Mamoru asked.

"No."

"You see then it must be a different x-ray." He said, relieved that the mystery was solved but surprised that Ami had not figured that out herself.

"Look at this." Ami said pulling the first x-ray to the forefront again and highlighting the same spot.

"That's impossible." Mamoru said seeing the same mark on the first x-ray.

"Do you remember when we were still in high school when Haruka hurt herself at a race?" Ami asked.

"Ah," Mamoru said turning to her with understanding. "Some…some guy she beat, he pushed her off her bike or something, right?"

"Hai, and she broke her right-"

"Clavicle," Mamoru answered with a sigh. Coincidence was one thing but this was getting harder and harder to explain by calling it a mistake or a coincidence. People in the same profession usually suffer from the same types of injuries but the probability of two people having all the exact same injuries was too high to consider a possibility. Of course with coincidence and all other logical explanations being ruled out as possibilities the only remaining possibility was that Haruka's ribs had healed overnight, which as Mamoru said before was impossible.

"Have you confided in anyone else about this?" He asked.

"As ridiculous as this sounds?" Ami asked. "I feel foolish enough saying this to you Mamoru-san and you are my friend."

"Oh, so we are friends again now." He said with a grin.

"You know what I mean."

"Well, how about we keep this between us until we can find some explanation for this."

"Okay, but you wouldn't mind if I take it home and look it over some more."

"You would not be Ami if you didn't. Now, I am starving. Can we please try to find a vending machine before we get back to rounds?"

"Hai, sumimasen." Ami said blushing. She retrieved the disc with the x-rays and they returned to the cafeteria.

"I have to do the interview Michi."

"I know." Michiru answered looking down at her hands.

"And…you know…when I do the interview…they are going to ask me about you." Haruka continued.

"I know." Michiru whispered.

"So…" Haruka began.

Haruka had no real desire to divulge her personal information to greater Japan but at this point she felt backed in a corner. She did not like that feeling. She did not like any situation where she was not in control. Perhaps, that was why she enjoyed racing so much: all that power at her command and the ability to control it.

What was worse than the feeling, was that it was all her fault. She was the one who was dishonest about her sex and caused all this fallout in the first place. And, with the truth of her sex being discovered, and the betrayal that her fans were feeling, wasn't it better to reveal the truth now rather than repeating the same mistake? After all, she never actually lied about being a man. People assumed that she was a man and, as it did not affect her racing ability, she did not feel it necessary to correct them. If anyone had ever asked her directly and she denied it then that would be a lie.

Haruka knew that such a distinction was the darkest shade of gray. And with the press conference, that she was certain her manager was outside setting up, the last thing Haruka wanted to do was deny their relationship, only to be hounded by the paparazzi and discovered later. They would get no privacy until the press was satisfied.

"What am I telling them?" She asked.

"I…don't know." Michiru whispered again, her voice cracking.

The pair stayed in silence for a few minutes before Michiru spoke again.

"Haruka I…I'm not as brave as you. I'm not as…fearless. And, my …my career is dependent on what people think of me. My career is…it's my entire life."

"It's not your life Michi, it's your job." Haruka said nonchalantly.

"It's the same thing. Suzuki-san is right. My life is dependent on my job. If I lose my career, I lose everything, everything I have worked for and my only means of support. It's the only thing that kept me from living on the streets or that ever improved my life or made it better or-" Michiru answered.

"Everything?" Haruka mumbled, inaudibly.

"You don't understand, Haruka." Michiru continued still looking at the slender fingers that expertly finessed wood and strings into producing music, the fingers that manipulated oils and charcoal against canvases to create art. Michiru was an artist. It was what she born to do. She could not imagine not being able to do the work she loved. More than that, she didn't know how to do anything else. She could not imagine not being able to support herself with her work. What would she do? The very idea was terrifying, her hands literally trembling before her.

"You don't know, Haruka. You have no idea what it's like to have nothing. How can you? You are a Tenoh, for kami's sake. I don't have a family, Haruka. I have no one but myself to depend on." Michiru looked up in time to catch the slightly bruised look flash across Haruka's face. It was there for less than a moment and then it was gone. "I didn't mean it like that." She tried.

"No, don't worry about it, Michiru." Haruka answered, shrugging it off with her usual unaffected veneer.

Michiru was right, Haruka thought. She didn't know what it was like to have nothing. Haruka had a privileged and, more importantly, happy childhood and, though her adolescence and later her coming out strained her relationship with her father, she did have a family to support her. Once again Haruka was reminded of how little she knew about Michiru's past and more particularly her family, or lack thereof. Haruka didn't know what her life had been like…of course that was facilitated by the fact that Michiru hardly ever talked about her childhood or her family. The only person Michiru ever talked about was her father, who died when she was six.

Although Haruka did not know the particulars, she had long deduced that, in some ways, Michiru had led a more cruel life than she had. Michiru was very selective when she spoke about her past, though Haruka did not make Michiru aware that she had noticed. Certain that when Michiru was ready she would share, Haruka took the Tenoh approach and said nothing. But now, she had a disconcerting feeling that Michiru's allusion to living on the streets came from a much closer reality to Michiru than if she were being dramatic.

"Look," Nagato interrupted, opening the door, cell phone in hand. "We have to make a decision on what to say and what press releases to send out. I know this is a delicate time for both of you or whatever but we need to think about business here. If we are going to survive this, no matter what direction we decide the take then we all have to be on the same page here and decide what the story is going to be."

"Though it pains me to say it, I must agree. We cannot have your press saying one thing and our press saying another. They would skewer us for contradicting stories and made this bad situation impossibly worse." Suzuki said, stepping into the room again.

"So what are we going to tell them?" Both asked turning to Haruka and Michiru.

Haruka looked up and saw that all eyes were on her. All eyes that is… except Michiru's.

"I'll tell them… that Michiru and I are friends and the nature of our relationship has nothing to do with the public. I will say that she accompanied me to the hospital along with my other concerned friends did so it should not be cause for speculation. And then I'll move on."

"Haruka are you sure?" Michiru asked, unable to fully mask the relief in her voice.

"Of course hime-chi," Haruka said with her smile. "This is about accounting for my mistakes not yours. There is no reason that your life should be damaged by this as well."

"First question please." Haruka said forcing her voice to sound confident.

It took less than an hour to arrange the press conference. The press already camped out at the hospital was the first inside but the large auditorium was almost filled to capacity. Her attending physician, Mamoru, did not support the idea of a press conference so early into Haruka's recovery, but Haruka was determined. She, Michiru and their respected manager's were seated at the table on stage. The room was dim and the sound of cameras and the occasional feedback from microphones provided the soundtrack lest anyone forget that this conversation would be nationally and internationally televised.

"Tenoh-san why were you pretending to be a man?" The first reporter asked.

"I'm feeling much better. Thank you for asking." Haruka answered, with the smile and the wink she was known for.

The crowd laughed nervously. It was a combination of the jab to the reporter uncouth enough not to acknowledge her health, for the men and, for the women, it was the slightly disturbing feeling of now knowing that Haruka was a woman and still being attracted to her.

Slightly abashed, though not enough to withdraw his question, the reporter inquired after Haruka's health and promptly repeated himself.

"Yes," Haruka began with a sigh. "I would like to apologize to my fans and supporters. I never intended to be dishonest or to betray anyone by withholding my sex. It was never my intention to misrepresent myself"

"Then why did you lie?"

"I was never specifically asked if I were a woman." Haruka quantified.

"Isn't that all semantics?" Another reporter commented.

"Perhaps it is. Though I did not ever expressly state my sex, I was obviously aware of the misconception. I admit that I used that to my advantage because it was…"

Michiru stayed silent as the line of questioning was focused on Haruka. They asked about everything from why Haruka refers to herself as 'ore' rather than 'watashi', to the truth about Haruka's relation to the Tenoh's and consequently Tenoh Corp. and its subsidiaries.

"Is it true that you and Kaioh-sama are in a romantic relationship?" Another reporter from an entertainment magazine asked. That immediately introduced a new line of questioning, each reporter jockeying to pose his or her version of the same question.

Now Michiru was paying attention. Unable to look at Haruka, Michriru could feel her lover's eyes upon her. She heard Haruka imperceptible sigh and her heart contracted in pain. How could she force Haruka to do this? How could she force her to lie when this entire press conference was about just that? And this time it would be a lie. It would be an express denial to a direct question. Wouldn't that make her a liar? Or worse, to make her love lie for her. What would that make them? What would that make their relationship?

"Kaioh-san and I…"

"It's not a mistake." Michiru interrupted, turning to Haruka.

"What?" Haruka asked. Reaching forward she placed her hand over the microphone, causing another wave of feedback as she did. A perverse smile crept to her face as the reporters in the auditorium shielded their ears.

"You said this was about accounting for your mistakes and not mine," Michiru continued. "Only it's not. A mistake I mean. Being with you is not a mistake. But, denying it as if I was ashamed of it would be."

"Are you sure Michi?" Haruka asked. "This could-"

"I'm not ashamed of you Haruka. And I'm not ashamed of us. I don't want you to ever think that."

"I know that Michi, but you don't have to do this. You don't have to prove anything to me." Haruka continued. "Just because my racing career may be over that doesn't mean that you should have to give up everything."

Hearing the word 'everything' said through Haruka's lips, and the control in her voice as she said it, made Michiru gravely aware of her earlier words. Michiru could see the cloudiness in her eyes that Haruka tried to hide and knew that the decision was up to her.

Michiru slammed her hands down onto the table, exhaling as she did.

"Fine! You guys want something to write about? I'll give you something to write about." With that, Michiru turned her head to a stunned Haruka and pulled her into a passionate kiss.

The room erupted with response from the delighted gasps to the disapproving groans all intertwined with the ever-present snap of the cameras and flash of the bulbs.

"Michi, what are you doing?"

It was a question being asked by both their managers as well, but Michiru ignored them.

"I'm supporting my family." Michiru gently reached forward, resting her hand on Haruka's face. "You are my family Haruka. You and Hotaru. You're everything. I'm sorry I ever made you think otherwise."

Haruka smiled her crooked smile of acceptance and leaned forward to capture Michiru's lips again.

The press conference was over.

Author's Note:

Hey guys. This wasn't supposed to be this short but I figured you guys waited so long already. So basically for the 2 or 3 of you that are still interested, lol. I promise to try to double up the next chapter and half the delivery time.

Let me know what you think.

I mean Review.

Lol.